If you are in danger now
- Call 999. If you cannot speak, call 999 from a mobile, listen to the operator, cough or tap the phone if you can, and press 55 when you are asked to. This tells the police it is a real emergency.
- Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline: 0808 802 1414. Free, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, for women and men. The number does not appear on a landline phone bill. Email help@dsahelpline.org.
- Men's Advice Line (for male victims): 0808 801 0327.
Who this guide is for
People in Northern Ireland who want a court order to protect them from domestic abuse. It covers non-molestation orders and occupation orders under the Family Homes and Domestic Violence (Northern Ireland) Order 1998.
What this guide does not cover
- People in England, Wales or Scotland: see the England and Wales guide or the Scotland guide.
- Domestic abuse and your job, such as time off or changes at work: see our domestic abuse support guide.
- Arrangements for children after a separation: see our family rights guide.
- Exactly who counts as "associated" with you, which decides who you can apply against. Ask a solicitor or the helpline.
- Legal aid, and the maximum penalty for breaking an order. Ask a solicitor.
- Criminal charges against the abuser. Ask the police.
- Somewhere safe to stay, refuges and homelessness help. Ask the helpline.
- If someone has applied for an order against you. Ask a solicitor.
At a glance
- A non-molestation order protects you or a relevant child from being harassed, pestered or intimidated, or from any threat of that.
- An occupation order restricts the person from entering or living in the home. They must leave when the order is served on them.
- There is no court fee for either order, but you may have to pay a fee for the summons to be served.
- In an emergency you can apply ex parte, without the person knowing. Otherwise the person is given notice of the hearing.
- Breaking a non-molestation order without a reasonable excuse is a criminal offence (Article 25 of the 1998 Order).
What the rules depend on
- Are you in danger now? Yes: call 999 first. A court order is the next step, not the first one.
- Where do you live? Northern Ireland: this guide. England and Wales, and Scotland, have their own guides.
- Is the person "associated" with you? A non-molestation order is made against someone associated with you. The 1998 Order sets out who counts. If you are not sure, ask a solicitor or the helpline.
- Is the home part of the problem? If you need the person to leave or stay out of the home, ask whether you qualify for an occupation order as well.
- Is it an emergency? Yes: ask for the order ex parte, without the person being told first.
"How do I apply?"
Fill in Form F1 (the application) and Form F2 (the summons to the respondent), and write a brief statement of your evidence. Lodge them with the court office. The Department of Justice publishes the forms with notes for guidance on Form F1. You can do this with or without a solicitor, and you may wish to get legal advice.
There is no court fee for a non-molestation order or an occupation order, but you may have to pay a fee for the summons to be served.
"I need protection straight away"
Ask for the order ex parte. The court can make a non-molestation order or an occupation order without the person being given the usual notice, where it considers it just and convenient to do so.
"They broke the order"
Report it to the police. Under Article 25 of the 1998 Order it is a criminal offence to break a non-molestation order without a reasonable excuse. Breaking an occupation order is also an offence where a non-molestation order is in force against that person. This guide does not set out the penalty: ask a solicitor.
"My order is ending or needs changing"
A non-molestation order can be made for a set period or until the court orders otherwise. To vary, extend or end an existing order, fill in Form F8 and Form F2. There is a fee for this application.
"I heard about domestic abuse protection orders"
The domestic abuse protection orders (DAPOs) being piloted in parts of England and Wales are not available in Northern Ireland. Use a non-molestation order or an occupation order.
Deadlines you must meet
- The sources this guide uses set no deadline for applying. If you need protection now, apply ex parte.
- If your order was made for a set period and you still need protection, apply to extend it (Form F8) before it ends.
Money figures
- No court fee for a non-molestation or occupation order. There may be a fee for serving the summons, and there is a fee to vary, extend or end an order. This guide gives no fee amounts.
Where to go for help
Police (PSNI): 999 in an emergency.
Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline: 0808 802 1414, free, 24 hours. Email help@dsahelpline.org.
Men's Advice Line: 0808 801 0327.
A family law solicitor: to check who you can apply against and to make the application.
Advice NI: 0800 915 4604
Traps
- The England and Wales forms and online application service do not apply in Northern Ireland. Here you use Form F1 and Form F2.
- The England and Wales DAPO pilot does not cover Northern Ireland.
- Orders under Scottish law do not apply in Northern Ireland.
- The application itself is free, but serving the summons may cost a fee.
- An occupation order on its own: breaking it is an offence only where a non-molestation order is also in force against the person.
Sources (checked 24 September 2026)
- Department of Justice (justice-ni.gov.uk): Applying for a non-molestation / occupation order; Useful forms - non-molestation / occupation order (Forms F1, F2, F8).
- legislation.gov.uk: Family Homes and Domestic Violence (Northern Ireland) Order 1998, Articles 20, 23 and 25.
- nidirect: 24 hour Domestic and Sexual Abuse Helpline.
- GOV.UK: Domestic abuse: how to get help (Men's Advice Line); GOV.UK: Apply for a domestic abuse protection order in a family court (pilot areas).
- Department of Justice NI: Silent Solution (999 and 55).
- Advice NI number as in our police officers guide (checked 24 September 2026).